Container for a spraying device

Abstract

Fluid liners and container assemblies for a spraying apparatus and related methods of use are provided. The disclosed liners include a side wall defining a fluid-containing portion and an open end, a flange extending outwardly from the side wall, and a latching member coupled to the flange, where the latching member includes a retaining feature for releasably coupling the side wall to a lid compatible with the liner. Disclosed fluid containers include a lid having a fluid outlet adapted to couple the lid to the spraying apparatus and a collapsible liner, where either the liner or lid comprises a latch that releasably couples the liner and the lid to each other. Advantageously, the fluid liners and fluid containers can provide enhanced storage options for container contents between spraying operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid container for a spraying apparatus comprising:
 a lid having a fluid outlet adapted to couple the lid to a spraying apparatus, the lid comprising a protrusion located on a top surface of the lid; and 
 a liner for the fluid container comprising:
 a side wall defining a fluid-containing portion and an open end; 
 a flange extending outwardly from the side wall; 
 wherein the liner comprises a tab that extends outwardly from the flange, wherein the tab has a distal end, wherein the distal end extends beyond an outer perimeter of the lid. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The fluid container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is configured to act as an anchor point that may be pinched between thumb and forefinger of a user for facilitating release of the lid from the liner when there is a tight engagement between the lid and the liner. 
     
     
       3. The fluid container of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor point is configured to allow a user to hold the liner during separation of the liner from the lid without deforming the liner. 
     
     
       4. The fluid container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a receptacle formed within the tab. 
     
     
       5. The fluid container of  claim 4 , wherein the receptacle is an aperture that passes through the tab. 
     
     
       6. The fluid container of  claim 4 , wherein the receptacle engages, in encircling relation, the protrusion. 
     
     
       7. The fluid container of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusion comprises an oversized head relative to a base of the protrusion. 
     
     
       8. The fluid container of  claim 7 , wherein the oversized head is sized such that there is an interference fit between each receptacle and its mating protrusion. 
     
     
       9. The fluid container of  claim 8 , wherein the interference fit is configured to prevent the tab from becoming inadvertently detached from the lid. 
     
     
       10. The fluid container of  claim 7 , wherein the receptacle extends part way through the tab and includes undercut features that engage and retain the oversized head of the protrusion. 
     
     
       11. The fluid container of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid outer cup having an open end, wherein the lid extends over an open end and the liner is received in the outer cup. 
     
     
       12. The fluid container of  claim 11 , wherein the liner has an open end that is aligned with the open end of the outer cup. 
     
     
       13. The fluid container of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame member having a frame member open end, wherein the lid extends over the frame member open end and the liner is received in the frame member, and further wherein the frame member comprises a buckle capable of compressing the liner between the frame member and the lid to provide a fluid-tight seal between the liner and the lid. 
     
     
       14. The fluid container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises an inner collar located on the bottom side of the lid, the inner collar extending along an outer perimeter of the lid and further comprising a raised ridge that extends along the circumference of the inner collar. 
     
     
       15. The fluid container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a multiplicity of penetrating features on the bottom side of the lid configured to pierce the flange of the liner. 
     
     
       16. A handheld spray gun assembly comprising:
 a spray gun platform; 
 a fluid adapter coupled to the spray gun platform; and 
 the fluid container of  claim 1 , the fluid container is releasably coupled to the fluid adapter. 
 
     
     
       17. A liner for a fluid container comprising:
 a side wall defining a fluid-containing portion and an open end, wherein the side wall includes a flexible material that enables the liner to stand self-supported on a horizontal surface yet collapse as fluid within the liner is withdrawn through the open end; 
 a flange extending outwardly from the side wall; and 
 a tab that extends outwardly from the flange, wherein the tab comprises a receptacle formed within the tab wherein the receptacle is an aperture that passes through the tab. 
 
     
     
       18. The liner of  claim 17 , wherein the receptacle is configured to engage with, in an encircling relation, a protrusion on a lid. 
     
     
       19. A fluid container for a spraying apparatus comprising:
 a lid having a fluid outlet adapted to couple the lid to a spraying apparatus, the lid comprising a protrusion located on a top surface of the lid, wherein the lid comprises a multiplicity of penetrating features on the bottom side of the lid configured to pierce a flange of a liner; and 
 the liner for the fluid container comprising:
 a side wall defining a fluid-containing portion and an open end; 
 the flange extending outwardly from the side wall.